Newtowne Hyperbarics A4-34 review

The A4-34 is the chamber we would point most first-time buyers to. At $5,795 it costs well under half of what the big names ask for a similar 1.3 ATA soft chamber.

Newtowne quotes its 510(k) number (K051759) right on the product page, ships an oxygen kit in the box and lets you run the chamber from inside or outside.

The trade-offs are a short two-year warranty and a page that leaves a few specs unsaid, weight and emergency release among them. Ask for both in writing before you pay.

Best for: the lowest price on an FDA-cleared soft chamber, with a 34-inch body that fits most bedrooms.

Newtowne builds the A4-34 from 46 oz double-laminated ballistic nylon over a frame, with a 4-inch mattress and cover, and you choose top or side entry. The oxygen kit is included: valve, hose, mask and cannula. What is not included is the concentrator itself. Newtowne sells a DeVilbiss 10-liter unit for $1,575 with shipping, and it says that unit needs a prescription. A 120-liter compressor upgrade is another $450.

Shipping is included, and Newtowne says there is no tax on top. So the honest all-in number for most buyers sits around $7,400, which is still thousands below any rival with the same FDA paperwork.

The 34-inch diameter is a sweet spot. It is wider than the 27-inch Respiro 270 and close to the Dive at 33 inches, so most adults can turn on their side or sit up to read. The length is 95 inches, the longest on our list, which matters if you are tall or want to keep a bag at your feet. Newtowne says the chamber can be operated both internally and externally and has an internal gauge, so you are not stuck waiting for someone to let you out.

Newtowne writes: "Mild hyperbaric chambers are considered a Class II medical device by the FDA and require a prescription from a qualified medical professional for human medical use. FDA 510k #K051759." The FDA summary for K051759 lists one indication: mild hyperbaria for acute mountain sickness and its associated mild symptoms. That is what the clearance covers. Anything else people use mild chambers for sits outside it, and that is a conversation for your doctor.

$5,795 from the Newtowne Hyperbarics products page. Listed "on sale now" at $5,795. A 120-liter compressor upgrade is $450. Rental: $1,195 a month.

Shipping: Included, no tax (Newtowne products page; shipping is not included with a rental).

Oxygen: Oxygen kit (valve, hose, mask, cannula) included; a DeVilbiss 10-liter concentrator is $1,575 with shipping and needs a prescription.

Financing: Consumer financing through SweetPay; B2B through Ascentum Capital (Newtowne). Ask for the APR and the total repaid, not just the monthly figure.

Prices move. The button below opens Newtowne Hyperbarics's page so you see today's number before you decide.

Newtowne Hyperbarics states FDA 510(k) clearance (K051759): "Mild hyperbaric chambers are considered a Class II medical device by the FDA and require a prescription from a qualified medical professional for human medical use. FDA 510k #K051759."

The FDA 510(k) summary lists the indication as: Mild hyperbaria for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and its associated mild symptoms (FDA 510(k) summary K051759).

Newtowne says a prescription from a qualified medical professional is required for human medical use.

Safety hardware stated: Operable both internally and externally, internal gauge, port pressure covers.

• Operable from inside: stated
• Emergency release: not stated on the page we read
• Pressure relief valves: not stated on the page we read
• Internal gauge: stated

This is not medical advice. A hyperbaric chamber is a medical device: talk to your doctor before you buy or use one, and follow Newtowne Hyperbarics's instructions. Our safety guide covers the FDA's latest advice.

Head-to-heads: Newtowne A4-34 vs OHS Oxy-Air 36

Ranked in: Best portable hyperbaric chamber for home · Cheapest hyperbaric chamber worth buying: under $10,000

Related guides: What a chamber costs · How to choose · Soft vs hard shell